Cudillero

Cuideiru

A postcard-perfect fishing village where colorful houses cascade down a steep hillside to a small harbor. It's one of the most photographed spots on the Asturian coast, especially at sunset.

Things to do

• Mirador de la Garita-Atalaya — Climb to this hillside viewpoint for the classic postcard shot of the colorful houses stacked above the harbor.
• Wander the amphitheater-shaped old town — Explore the narrow, winding lanes and stairways that spill down the ravine to the sea, lined with brightly painted facades.
• Watch the fishing fleet at the harbor — See the boats unload their catch each afternoon at the working port that still drives the village economy.
• Visit the Faro de Cudillero — Walk out to this lighthouse perched on the cliffs for open Cantabrian Sea views and dramatic coastal scenery.
• Day trip to Playa del Silencio — Drive a few minutes to this dramatic cove of cliffs and sea stacks near Novellana, one of Asturias' most beautiful beaches.
• Sit in Plaza de San Pedro — Relax in the village's tiny central square ringed by cafés, right where the ravine meets the harbor.
• Photograph the sunset from the water's edge — Time your visit for late afternoon when the light turns the tiered houses gold, best seen from the harbor pier.

Food to try

• Pixín (monkfish) — Cudillero's signature catch, often served al pil pil or in a garlicky sauce at harborside restaurants.
• Marmitako or caldereta de pescado — A hearty fisherman's stew of local fish, potatoes, and peppers, born from the village's seafaring tradition.
• Oricios (sea urchins) — A prized winter delicacy in Cudillero, eaten raw straight from the shell with a spoon.
• Sidra asturiana — Order a bottle of Asturian cider, poured from height in the traditional escanciado style to aerate it.
• Fabada asturiana — The region's famous bean and pork stew, a filling classic worth trying at least once inland or in town.

Local customs & good to know

• Learn to appreciate escanciado cider pouring — Bars pour cider from arm's height into a wide glass to aerate it, and you're expected to drink it in one go.
• Park outside the village center — Streets are extremely narrow and steep, so most visitors leave cars in the upper lots and walk down.
• Catch La Amuravela on August 15th — This centuries-old satirical spoken tradition mocking local events and figures is performed at the harbor during the village's biggest festival.
• Expect steep stairs everywhere — The village's charm comes from its ravine setting, so comfortable shoes are essential for exploring.